Bikedued

Picked up some Newbaums cotton wrap yesterday, and I had a free day today. No problem I thought, I will just stop by the hardware store and pick up some shellac this morning, since I was already out dropping my GF off at work. Ummm, what the hell happened? Three years ago I bought a quart of shellac (no pints available around here for some reason?) for $8.99 + tax. There was no price on the shelf. Whatever I think, and carry the can up to the register. This same can is now SIXTEEN freaking bucks!? I just hung my head, and left the store. What the heck happened that one simple can of shellac could double in price in 3 years?,,,,BD

Bikedued

I had 3/4's of a can left three years ago. I think I may have trashed it though, because the can was starting to rust, and not sealing correctly. I think I will look for it now, that or go without until the budget is higher.,,,,BD

thenomad

toxic and being used hardly ever. Not even sure I'd be able to find it in CA.

Bikedued

I think this will be my new supplier. I need it very seldom myself, but when I need it I need it. This quantity is affordable, and more user friendly storage wise.,,,,BD


https://www.midlandhardware.com/208660.html#.UeqcdWQ5zhA

Bikedued

Non toxic according to Rustoleums MSDS info??,,,,BD


https://www.rustoleum.com/en/product-...ls-eye-shellac

rootboy 

Shellac is not toxic. Aside from the denatured alcohol used as the vehicle, but it is fairly benign compared with most other things.

It's too bad you can't find the small cans locally, Bikedued, as the stuff has a somewhat limited shelf life and a quart is overkill. Having shellac flakes on hand is handy as you can mix small quantities. I don't have any amber but if you'd like a small bag of orange shellac flakes I'd be happy to send you some.

rootboy 

Maybe Lac bugs are becoming scarce?

Grand Bois

Non toxic and and readily available in CA.

It's dried edible bug juice dissolved in alcohol.

Maybe you have it confused with lacquer.

Liquid shellac has a short shelf life. It won't dry completely when it's old. That's why the cans are dated. It's much smarter to buy the flakes and mix your own.

oddjob2

Anybody ever try polyurethane or varnish?

rootboy 

Yeah. Alcohol tends to absorb moisture out of the air. Once mixed, shellac should be used within 6 months, but the sooner the better.
I suspect the canned stuff lasts on the shelf due to no oxygen in the can. But once opened, must be used.

rootboy 

I tried model lacquer one time, as I wanted crystal clear and don't have any blonde shellac flakes.
The result was less than satisfying.

thenomad

maybe I'm thinking of laquer used on wood, hmm.

oddjob2

The VOCs in lacquer are designed to dry within minutes, it would not have time to be absorbed into the cotton. The water bourne polys on the other hand, take about a 1/2 day IIRC.

Bikedued

The bad part is if I drove all over town trying to find the small cans, I'd be out the same money as buying the big one, lol. I no longer believe in calling a store to get someone to check the stock on the shelf. Call me pessimistic, but 9 times out of ten you get someone that didn't even want to get up that morning, much less have the energy/memory span to finish a task as difficult as helping a customer.,,,,BD

JAG410

Try milo.com to find bullseye shellac? Saves from hunting place to place.

Bikedued

I thought for a few minutes, and remembered an old school hardware store in the Heights section of Houston. I called them up and got immediate, and competent service!! A pint can is just over 9 bucks, and is more than I will need for the next year or two. Definitely more reasonable, if only because of the smaller can. It's also only a few blocks from the bike shop, and I need some inner cables anyway? Now if I can only get the amber colored cat off of my keyboard, haha.,,,,BD

unworthy1

shellac: not only non-toxic when dried, but also FDA approved for use on fruits and vegetables, chances are good you've eaten more than you know.
They date even the canned stuff (like Bullseye) or at least they used to cause it has a limited shelf life even in a new can, less once the can has been opened.
And that's probably why you can't find a small can: most people prefer to buy small cause they know it won't store well, and not many folks are doing a big shellac job such as will use an entire quart before it goes bad.
The other bad news for all shellac users, including those who by dry (flakes, seed or button) and mix their own is that there is a shortage due to environment and weather so the supply is low and the price has gone way UP! Maybe it will come down someday but that's the story for now. Also you can use pure ethyl alcohol (like everclear/moonshine/white lightening, etc.) to mix your own and then it's 100% non-toxic, but you sure don't want to drink that...do you??

hairnet

I bought sample packs from this shop https://www.shellac.net/index.html and mixed with alcohol. This way I don't end up with a big can of left over material that I wont use and will go bad.

jsharr

https://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-44935/Detail

inkandsilver

I love that there is a website called shellac.net. And thanks for the link -- I'll be ordering crystals next time I am in need.

Bikedued

So it's just the brick and mortar stores that are jacking the price up, nice! I am about halfway or a little more through the can at three coats. VERY hot today, and sunny, so it is drying in record time. It just about matches the saddle, so looking good so far. The Universal brakes from the Trek didn't have enough reach, so it's Mod 61's until I get enough money for Campy.,,,,BD

big chainring 

I'm a painting contractor. Price of paint has gone thru the roof. Along with all the sundries associated with painting. $50 a gallon is about the going price for premium paint. And quarts at $22-23. Materials add up quick on a job. I too remember qts. of shellac at $8.99. Just about all paints have doubled in price in the last 3 yrs.

Price of oil?, shipping costs?, hazardous materials? Or maybe just plain price gouging?

Coreyk

I use shellac frequently in my day-to-day work as a luthier, and know people who finish whole instruments in it using the French Polishing process.
There is a shortage of lac beetles right now that is impacting the world-wide price.

Bikedued

it's pricey now, so it will only go on my nicer bikes that would have had cloth wrap originally. No substitute for amber shellac.,,,,BD

jplebrun

Dang that looks sharp!
When I bought my current project, it still had the original cotton wrap on the bars...from 1984. Needless to say, it's nice to see what it should look like...rather than what it looked like when I was sanding it out of the rusty bars.